The Old Town Association organises regular events for its members and guests. Events are advertised on Eventbright and tickets may be purchased or reserved through Eventbright. Click here to be taken to the OTA page on the Eventbright website.

Here is a selection of events that the OTA has arranged for its members in recent years...

2017

Visits and Guided Walks

Guided walk led by Robert Howie from Greyfriars to St GilesThe Technology of Fashion tour at the National Museum of ScotlandSt Cecilia's HallGranton Stores of the National Museum of ScotlandRiddle's CourtVictorian Edinburgh walk led by Robert Howie

Talks

Peigi MacKillop on Scotland's Urban Past projectElizabeth Graham on the hotel proposal for the former Royal High SchoolJohn Baxter on Burke & HareFilm of the National Museum of Scotland in 1938 with commentary by Geoff SwinneyThe Joy of Spines by Graeme Hawley of the National Library of ScotlandEdinburgh on Film talk by Rosie Ellison of Edinburgh Film (with party)

2016

Visits and Guided Walks

Surgeons' Hall MuseumIncorporated Trades of Edinburgh, Melville StreetMagdalen Chapel, CowgateThe buildings of the National Museums of ScotlandCanongate Kirkyard led by the Friends of the Canongate KirkyardCanongate Breweries, led by John Martin of the Scottish Brewing ArchiveTours of the newly opened galleries of Art & Design and Science & Technology at the NMSEdinburgh Gin Distillery

Talks

Fire, Filth & Food, a talk by John Lowrey on Old Town developmentThe Deep-Fried Mars Bar by Dr Christine KnightCurrent Initiatives by Adam Wilkinson, Edinburgh World HeritageCapital Collections of the City LibrariesPoetry reading (and party) at the Scottish Poetry Library

Edinburgh Old Town: Journeys and Evocations by Donald SmithThe Royal Mile Project by Iain MacPhail, City Centre Programme Manager, Edinburgh City CouncilPanmure House by Chris Watkins, Director of Development of the Panmure House ProjectTreasures of the Edinburgh City LibrariesMapping Edinburgh by Chris Fleet, Senior Map Curator of the National Library of Scotland

2014

Visits and Guided Walks

Edinburgh CCTV Control Unit in the City ChambersBo'ness, including a tour and archive film screening at The Hippodrome CinemaMacdonald Armouries to see how the High School Yards Knight's sword was madeThe Signet LibraryEdinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation, University of Edinburgh, High School YardsSignet Library, Parliament Square

Talks

Patomime in Scotland by Dr Paul MaloneyMapping Edinburgh's Social History by the MESH ProjectPatrick Geddes by Prof Bob MorrisThe anti-graffiti initiative by Mark Robinson, Community Safety OfficerScotsman Hotel Cinema with a showing of films from the Scottish Screen ArchiveScotland’s Cinemas by Gordon Barr of the Scottish Cinemas & Theatres ProjectThe sword and gravestone of the High School Yards Knight by Paul Macdonald and David McGovern

2013

Visits and Guided Walks

Chapel of St Albert the Great, George SquarePowderhall BronzeScottish Vintage Bus Museum, by DunfermlineThe New Town and its Gardens, guided walk led by Jean BarehamGuided walk round Edinburgh’s bridges led by Dom EchlinFreemason’s HallThe Victorian Schoolroom, Brunswick Road

Talks

Filth, Nastiness & Stinks in 18th Century Edinburgh by John LowreyArchaeology at High School YardsThe King’s High Road by Robin TaitLatest projects of the City Museums Service by Paul McAuleyScottish Language DictionaryThe Holyrood Campus of the University of EdinburghThe Building of the Forth Bridge, given by Frank Hay and Len Saunders of The Briggers

2012

Visits and Guided Walks

Scottish National Portrait Gallery led by senior SNPG staffSeafield Recycling CentreRiddle’s Court led by the Scottish Historic Buildings TrustHidden Gardens of the Royal Mile led by Jean BarehamBurntisland: Museum of Communicatins and Parish ChurchChppendale International School of Furniture, GiffordScottish Genealogy SocietyCity Archives with archivist Richard Hunter

Talks

Queensberry House by Jenny ColcottCowgate Fire Site by Andrew Wright (joint event with the Cockburn Association)Scottish Cultural Resources Access Network by SCRAN staffTalk by CEC Community Safety Officers

2011

Visits and Guided Walks

St Cecilia’s Hall and its collectionsFestival Theatre front- and back-stageCouncil Museums Collections Centre led by Paul McAuley of the City’s Museums DepartmentBurns Monument and Poetry Garden led by Paul McAuleyEnlightenment Tour of the Royal Mile led by Angus GillonInch Nurseries led by Jim Carlyle of the City’s Park & Green Spaces DepartmentRoyal Observatory on Blackford Hill

Talks

The Scottish Cemetery in Calcutta by James Simpson (joint event with the Cockburn Association)Management and use of historic graveyards by Dr Susan BuckhamScottish National Portrait Gallery by James Holloway, SNPG DirectorJohn Murray - Edinburgh Connections by David McClay, Senior Curator, John Murray ArchiveOld College excavations, by Tom Addyman of Addyman ArchaeologyCostume and the Visit of George IV in 1822, by Annie Scanlon

the National Museum of Scotland in 1938 with commentary by Geoff Swinney